The Dodgers gave up only four runs in the NLCS<\/a> against the Brewers, one in each game. The Phillies scored just nine over four games, amassing no more than three runs in any of those contests. <\/p>\n Lastly, the Dodgers handily took down the Reds in the NL Wild Card<\/a> round. Even though Cincinnati scored nine runs across two games, Los Angeles\u2019 average margin of victory across the series was 4.5.<\/p>\n The usual suspects<\/p>\n From an overall standpoint, it\u2019s hard to win games without receiving production from the likes of those who are paid to be difference-makers. To go 9-1 in the playoffs thus far, it\u2019s obvious that their pitching has been excellent.<\/p>\n The ex-Rays have been front-and-center. Tyler Glasnow<\/a> and Blake Snell<\/a>, two pitchers who were on the opposite side of the field during the 2020 World Series, have been among the best pitchers in baseball this October.<\/p>\n Glasnow struck out 18 over 13.1 IP and allowed just one earned run over the first three rounds. As for Snell, the former Cy Young Award winner struck out an NL-high 28 batters over 21 frames. Opposing batters are hitting just .090 off Snell during the playoffs.<\/p>\n Yoshinobu Yamamoto<\/a>, the co-ace behind Snell, also did more than held his own. Eighteen strikeouts over 19.2 IP, including a playoff complete game to his name after holding the Brewers to one run in Game 2.<\/p>\n The offense, meanwhile, didn\u2019t need to put bunches of runs against the Brewers. But overall, it\u2019s been a good October for the Dodgers and their star hitters.<\/p>\n Mookie Betts<\/a> doesn\u2019t have a playoff home run yet but does have 12 hits and six RBI. Freddie Freeman<\/a>, hitting just .231 thus far, got on the board with his first home run of the postseason against the Brewers.<\/p>\n Power has come from the likes of Teoscar Hernandez<\/a> (four home runs) and Tommy Edman<\/a> (two) over the first three rounds.<\/p>\n And, you can\u2019t forget about Shohei Ohtani<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ohtani didn\u2019t have a productive NLDS whatsoever. Aside from a strong pitching performance in Game 1 of that series against the Phillies, the two-way star was nearly invisible at the plate against the barrage of left-handed pitchers Philadelphia threw at him. That wasn\u2019t the case in the NLCS.<\/p>\n The three-time MVP batted .357\/.500\/1.143 across the four games against the Brewers, highlighted by a Game 4 performance that may very well never be replicated again in Major League Baseball. Ten strikeouts on the mound, and three long home runs against Milwaukee.<\/p>\n A new closer<\/p>\n For most of 2025, the Dodgers rolled out Tanner Scott<\/a> for save situations. Scott has his clear ups-and-downs, as the left-handed reliever \u2014 signed in the winter<\/a> to fortify a bullpen that lost depth after 2024 \u2014 ranked<\/a> among the top of the league in blown saves.<\/p>\n Scott didn\u2019t pitch a game in the playoffs, as a lower-body abcess operation<\/a> forced him off the NLDS roster. Instead, it\u2019s been a different pitcher locking down games in the ninth inning: rookie starter Roki Sasaki<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sasaki missed much of 2025 on the injured list. But before landing on the IL, the 23-year-old continued a troubling trend of diminished velocity. Now healthy, the Dodgers rookie has been nothing short of spectacular out of the bullpen since returning late in the regular season.<\/p>\n The right-hander gave up only three hits across eight playoff innings thus far. And as noted in the chart above, the velocity returned.<\/p>\n What to expect in the World Series<\/p>\n As far as teams heading into the World Series off long layoffs, it\u2019s tricky to predict how well it will go. By the time October 24 arrives, it\u2019ll be six days since the Dodgers\u2019 last game. Recent history suggests that the Dodgers might not be in the best situation, especially since the Mariners\/Blue Jays didn\u2019t end until October 20:<\/p>\n 2019: Nationals win World Series (WS started on October 22, Nationals clinched pennant on October 15)<\/p>\n 2016: Indians lose World Series (WS started on October 15, Indians clinched pennant on October 19)<\/p>\n 2015: Mets lose World Series (WS started on October 27, Mets clinched pennant on October 21)<\/p>\n In the examples of 2015 & 2019, the Mets and Nationals locked up a World Series berth in a sweep, while both of their respective AL opponents played in six games. New York and Washington had several days of rest beforehand.<\/p>\n However, will that matter in 2025?<\/p>\n Who knows. But if there\u2019s one thing to expect in the World Series, it\u2019s that the Dodgers \u2014 at least on paper \u2014 have the advantage on either the Mariners and Blue Jays. Sure, the Mariners may be able to match up well on the mound. <\/p>\n However, the Dodgers pitching staff is very good at changing looks and keeping hitters off-balance. Seattle, with 120 strikeouts \u2014 easily the most in the playoffs \u2014 across the playoffs, may be vulnerable.<\/p>\n As for the Blue Jays, would Toronto and their pitching staff, particularly their bullpen, be able to keep Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Hernandez, etc. off the board? That\u2019s a tough ask.<\/p>\n Check out more of our MLB<\/a> coverage.<\/p>\n Like this:<\/p>\n Like Loading\u2026<\/p>\n![\"Roki](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Roki-Sasaki-Velo-Plot-2025-1.jpeg\"\/)
Sasaki\u2019s velocity is back to the upper-90s and triple digits. Chart includes average fastball velocity by month. Regular-season and playoff data included.<\/p>\n